Spicy Chicken Shawarma Cooking Guide

Introduction

• The presentation focuses on making spicy chicken shawarma, aiming to prove it's better than steak.
• The host collaborates with Ahmed, a master in cooking, to create a family-friendly version suitable for home cooking.

Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Preferred over breast for their fat and dark meat quality.
• Hot Pepper Paste: A Middle Eastern spicy ingredient, essential for the marinade. Tomato paste can be used as a non-spicy alternative.
• Yogurt: Plain yogurt is used, not Greek, to coat the chicken lightly.
• Lemon and Onion: Lemon juice is squeezed for tenderizing the meat.
• Olive Oil: Used sparingly.
• Shawarma Spice Rub: Generously applied.

Marinade Technique

• Mix ingredients well, ensuring the chicken is well coated but not drenched.
• Salt is added separately to maintain control over seasoning.

Cooking Methods

Traditional Oven Method

1. Preparation: Preheat a sheet tray in the oven under broil.
2. Cooking: Lay chicken in a thin layer in beef tallow on the sheet, broil at the highest heat for 20-30 minutes.
3. Finish: Optional chopping for the authentic shawarma size, save the pan drippings for flavor.

Sous Vide Method

1. Process: Cook at 170°F for 1 hour.
2. Post-Cooking: Separate juices, chop chicken, use a blow torch for a crust.

Additional Steps

• Glaze Preparation: Cook the hot pepper paste on a stove with oil and water to a pancake batter consistency. Use as a glaze on the cooked shawarma.
• Assembling the Shawarma:
  • Base: Tortilla or thin Middle Eastern bread.
  • Layering: Use pan drippings, garlic spread (toum), and cucumbers.
  • Finish: Toast lightly on both sides, apply glaze.

Serving and Tasting

• Final Touches: Additional dollop of toum and chicken on top.
• Taste Test: Both methods resulted in flavorful, tender chicken. The sous vide version was noted for its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Additional Flavor: Pomegranate molasses adds sweetness and tartness.

Conclusion

• The shawarma was highly praised for its flavor and ease of preparation.
• Encouragement to try the recipe with a recommendation to follow Ahmed's culinary accounts for more recipes.